Loredana Ivan: Seniors, risks and mobile communication

Loredana Ivan: Seniors, risks and mobile communication

March 3, 2015 @ 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm

The growing of elderly population is a challenging topic, particularly in Europe, where most of the countries are expected to reach 30% of the population over 60 years in 2060 (Eurostat, 2011). The so called “grandparent boom” is expected to follow a different pattern in Western and Eastern European countries. The higher percent of elderly is nowadays in Western European countries where the ageing growth started in the 20th century and slowly progressed. However, the new demographic projections show an eastward shift of the ageing process, with Romania and Latvia estimating to reach the highest median age after 2040.

Societies with increased number of elderly face numerous challenges in terms of social security policies (Biggs, 2001), health care (Zweifel, Felder, & Werblow, 2004), consumer and economic behavior (Bloom, Canning & Fink, 2010), technology use (Charness & Boot, 2009), communication patterns (Tinker, 2002; Pinquart & Sörensen, 2000). Particularly in the mobile communication, age places an important role regarding the adoption, type of use and communication patterns (Castells, Fernández-Ardèvol, Qui & Sey, 2006). Still research on mobile communication is mostly focused on teenagers, young people and adults while analyses on the elders are limited (some exceptions are Ling, 2004, 2008).

Ageing also related to socio-cultural aspects, with particular values and life styles within a society. Still, the current literature on elderly and mobile communication use remains rather local and few studies have been conducted cross-culturally. Furthermore studies within the Eastern European countries, the ones that will face the highest rates of ageing population, are scarce and besides the official statistics of mobile phone adoption (Eurostat, 2010; ITU, 2012), there is hardly any evidence of the appropriation of mobile communication in these countries.

The aim of the current presentation is to contribute with empirical evidence, to better understand the public concern on mobile phone risks in daily life and in the relation with personal health. The focus is on media debate about the potential risks and how this could be found in the major concerns expressed by seniors.